In Their Words | A Daily Press Exclusive

October 30, 2006

TODAY'S QUESTION: "Do you favor a Senate bill that would allow illegal immigrants currently in this country to remain in this country, or do you prefer a House version that does not allow such amnesty? Please explain your thinking."

SEN. GEORGE ALLEN REPUBLICAN, INCUMBENT

We are a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws, and i believe that both ideals can be achieved in a compassionate, appropriate and effective way. My two foundational principles are Americans deserve borders that are secure and we should not reward illegal behavior. If the U.S. Government rewards illegal behavior with amnesty, we will get more illegal behavior.

My top priority is to secure the borders through more enforcement, border patrol personnel and detention centers, as well as constructing actual and virtual fences. I have voted twice to fund the construction of fence and vehicle barriers along the United States' southwest border.

I would also prohibit felons and those convicted of three misdemeanors, and illegal immigrants who overstay deportation orders, from gaining legal citizenship. I would protect American workers by requiring the Department of Labor to attest that no American is able to take a job before a "guest worker" is eligible for a green card.

I also would establish English as the national language of the United States and ensure that illegal immigrants do not receive Social Security benefits for work done while they were here illegally.

JIM WEBB DEMOCRAT

I believe our primary concern must be securing the border. Immediate action is needed to stem the flow of illegal border crossings. Approaching the issue using an omnibus bill that attempts to solve all immigration issues simultaneously creates a political stalemate that delays the border security solution.

There is a consensus that our border security must be improved, and we should act on that consensus as soon as possible. Once the border is secure, we can develop a fair solution to other immigration issues. I don't favor the Senate bill because I don't support guest worker programs. Many of the illegal workers in our country came here legally at first via guest worker programs and stayed, despite the expiration of their visas.

REP. THELMA DRAKE REPUBLICAN, INCUMBENT

I am firmly in support of the House bill. I believe we must first secure our borders and enforce the existing immigration laws that we have. I am against amnesty for those who have broken our laws.

In the future, there must be a discussion about what any temporary-worker program might look like, but make no mistake: The first order of business must be to secure our borders.

I am the daughter of a legal immigrant, so I fully understand what immigration means to this country. We are a nation of immigrants. However, we are also a nation of laws. We must require that people respect our laws.

This is not simply a matter of immigration policy, it is a matter of national security if we do not know who is crossing our borders day to day.

PHIL KELLAM DEMOCRAT

I favor the House legislation over the Senate legislation precisely because the House version doesn't allow amnesty. My father served as a judge in this community for over three decades, and I learned from him a strong sense of right and wrong. The way I was raised, illegal means illegal. I'm not sure why we have so many problems understanding that.

We are a nation of immigrants, and our diversity is one of our nation's strengths. But illegal immigration in this country is out of control.

We must strengthen border security and stop the flow of illegal immigration by strongly penalizing employers who attract illegal immigrants. *